Everything Mermaid

North of Tampa Florida is a small town called Weeki Wachee. The name comes from the native Seminole Indians, which means “Little Spring” or “Winding Water.” For most people, it’s just another town on a map. For mermaids, it’s a dream come true. This little town is home to the Weeki Wachee Park where live mermaids perform underwater, and have been since 1947. In a recent Weeki Wachee Mermaid documentary, a group of female filmmakers capture the magic of the Spring, and why so many people come every year.

“The Spring” premiered at Tribeca, and won Best Documentary at the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival. Delaney Buffett, the director, captures the magnetic pull that the spring provides for mermaids around the world. The short film interviews current, and past performers to help us understand the deep impact the spring has had on their lives.

Weeki Wachee Spring

The spring is a surfacing point for a fresh water under ground river. It is one of the deepest in America, and stays the same temperature all year round.  Some call it “natures perfection.” Underwater shows have been going on for decades and all started when Newt Perry, a former navy teacher, invented the air hose.  He had a passion for swimming and envisioned mermaids swimming in the crystal clear springs water. Originally the stage seating would only hold 18 people, now it can hold 400 people!

weeki wachee mermaids

They make it look so easy!

Watching the documentary, I learned becoming a mermaid is no walk (or swim) in the park. It takes months of training, and is very physically demanding. The mermaids are under the water for 30 minutes performances and don’t surface for air! After training is complete they say;

“Once a mermaid, always a mermaid.”

Every year the park invites former mermaids to perform as Alumni. In the documentary film makers interview the Alumni and discovers a deep impact. They say, “nothing beats being a mermaid.” They compare the experience to a dream, but better.

There is a constant pull to come back to the Florida spring.  Some are still performing into their 60s and call it a personal fountain of youth. They feel 16 again.  “If you are gone to long, your gills start to dry out.”

Weeki Wachee Mermaid Documentary

Watch this beautiful film about the one and only Weeki Wachee Mermaids from Florida and fall in love with Mermaids all over again.  Check out “The Spring” short documentary now available on Amazon Prime Video.

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Photos include:

Weeki Wachee Springs Kayak Trip by Marc Barisson on Flickrr – Licensed

DSC_0221_pp by Walter on Flickrr – Licensed

The Little Mermaid by Brett Davis on Flickrr – Licensed 

Weeki Wachee Mermaids by Alícia Roselló Gené on Flickrr- Licensed

Mermaid by Matt Kelland on Flickrr –  Licensed